WASHINGTON — Leaders of the right-wing Proud Boys dubbed “Lords of War” agreed to “use any means necessary” in their violent 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which they hoped would prevent Joe Biden from becoming president, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday.
“These ‘Lords of War’ joined together to stop the transfer of presidential power” and keep Donald Trump in the White House, even though he’d lost the election, Justice Department attorney Jason McCullough said during opening statements in the seditious conspiracy trial of five Proud Boys, including former chairman of the group, Enrique Tarrio.
According to the government, the defendants helped spearhead the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters sought to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 election results. During the riot, 140 police officers were assaulted and the attackers caused more than $2 million in property damage.
